2025S0040-1 01/23/25     By: Sparks S.B. No. 903     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to continuing education requirements for certain   physicians regarding adoption.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 156, Occupations Code, is   amended by adding Section 156.061 to read as follows:          Sec. 156.061.  CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS ON   TEXAS ADOPTION LAW. (a)  A physician who submits an application   for the renewal of a license and whose practice includes treating   pregnant women must complete at least one hour of continuing   education in Texas adoption law. The continuing education must   include instruction on:                (1)  the process to voluntarily terminate the rights of   an alleged biological father under Section 161.002, Family Code,   for the purpose of adoption;                (2)  the process to terminate parental rights before   birth or after birth under Sections 161.002 and 161.003, Family   Code;                (3)  the ability of a mother to authorize the release of   her newborn child from the hospital or birthing center to a licensed   child-placing agency, the Department of Family and Protective   Services, or another designated person as provided by Section   161.108, Family Code;                (4)  the terms regarding limited post-termination   contact under Section 161.2061, Family Code;                (5)  accepting possession of an abandoned child under   Section 262.302, Family Code;                (6)  financial assistance available to an expectant   mother who decides to place her baby for adoption as provided by   Section 25.08, Penal Code; and                (7)  the differences between private adoption and   foster care adoption, including:                      (A)  the processes and legal requirements for   private adoption versus foster care adoption;                      (B)  the role of private adoption agencies versus   the Department of Family and Protective Services in facilitating   adoptions;                      (C)  support services available to expectant   mothers and adoptive families in each process; and                      (D)  the rights and responsibilities of birth   parents, adoptive parents, and the state in private and foster care   adoptions.          (b)  A physician must complete the hours required by   Subsection (a) in each of the first two renewal periods following   the issuance of the physician's initial registration permit under   this chapter, with at least one hour to be completed not later than   the first anniversary of the date of issuance.          (c)  After the period described by Subsection (b), a   physician must complete at least two hours of continuing education   described by Subsection (a) every eight years.          (d)  The hours required by this section may count toward the   continuing education requirements of Section 156.051(a)(2).          (e)  The board shall adopt rules to implement this section,   ensuring that the content and delivery of the continuing education   align with current medical standards and guidelines.          SECTION 2.  Not later than December 1, 2025, the Texas   Medical Board shall adopt rules necessary to implement the changes   in law made by this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.